Blackburn Rovers are still at an impasse in negotiations to sign Liam Cooper as a free agent, according to The Lancashire Telegraph.
There was some hope that a deal for the 32-year-old might be finalized after discussions at the end of last week. However, talks are ongoing, and no agreement has been reached yet.
Rovers are the only Championship team yet to make a senior signing and need to strengthen their defensive options. With the season starting in three weeks, John Eustace currently only has Hayden Carter and Dom Hyam as centre-backs with second-tier experience.
Last week, The LT reported that Cooper was willing to accept a pay cut to join Ewood Park. Leeds United have offered him a one-year contract, but with the understanding that he would not be a regular starter.
Cooper is eager to play and was willing to lower his salary to join Blackburn Rovers, who are managing a tight budget this summer.
The Rovers’ board is wary of committing to a long-term contract for an aging defender. This concern was a barrier in negotiations with Danny Batth last summer, and the impact of Daniel Ayala’s three-year deal is still being felt.
Cooper has averaged 20 matches per season over the past four years, including three in the Premier League. This record has influenced the ongoing negotiations.
To address the potential risk, a proposed deal includes a higher appearance-based fee and a lower base salary, estimated to be about a third of his previous earnings at Elland Road. This arrangement would be part of a one-year contract, with a second year automatically extending if he meets a certain number of appearances. This kind of deal is increasingly common for players nearing the end of their careers.
Essentially, Cooper would be rewarded for regular play and contributing to Rovers’ success. If injuries or other issues limit his performance, his earnings would be reduced, which would minimize the financial risk for the club.
However, the specific terms of this proposal are still unsettled. The deal isn’t off the table, but further compromises from both sides will be needed to finalize it.
Other clubs are still showing interest in Cooper, though Blackburn Rovers are currently leading the race. Staying at Leeds is also a possibility for him, but Cooper is keen on securing regular playing time.
There have been no new updates regarding Kyle McFadzean’s potential return to Rovers. With pre-season progressing, it now seems increasingly unlikely that he will sign a new contract.
John Eustace has been candid about Rovers’ need to strengthen their squad, mentioning that he aims to add ‘four or five quality players.’ For now, the squad has been supplemented with Academy talent during pre-season.
These players will be back in action on Saturday when Rovers face Nurnberg in Austria.